All articles tagged with #maya civilization
Researchers have uncovered how the Maya used a sophisticated calendar system, detailed in the Dresden Codex, to predict solar eclipses with remarkable accuracy between 350 and 1150 CE by starting new tables at specific months to correct for accumulated errors, revealing advanced mathematical and astronomical knowledge.
Aguada Fénix, the oldest and largest Maya site built around 3050 years ago in Mexico, was discovered using LiDAR technology. Its design reflects a cosmological model, with ritual significance tied to directions and calendar dates, and was likely constructed by community effort without hierarchical leadership, challenging previous assumptions about ancient monumental construction.
Chemical analysis of stalagmites from a Mexican cave revealed that during the Maya collapse (871-1021 CE), there were eight droughts lasting over three years, with the longest lasting 13 years, likely contributing to societal decline. This detailed climate data aligns with archaeological evidence of halted monument construction and societal upheaval, providing new insights into the role of climate stress in the Maya civilization's decline.
Archaeologists exploring a hidden tunnel beneath the Temple of the Feathered Serpent in Teotihuacan, Mexico, discovered two "golden orbs" wrapped in a gold film. The orbs, made of clay, were found in a side tunnel and are believed to have served a sacred ritual purpose. The walls surrounding the orbs were covered in a gold substance, possibly representing the cosmos. Researchers speculate that the Maya used these orbs to study the night sky, particularly the orbit of Mars, which held great significance in their calendar. The discovery provides further evidence of the Maya's advanced astronomical knowledge.
Scientists using lidar technology have discovered a previously unknown and massive Maya city called Ocomtun in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The city, which may have served as a political center, challenges previous assumptions about the Maya civilization's range. Lidar imaging, combined with on-foot verification, revealed monumental structures and puzzling shapes, suggesting Ocomtun's significance. The site contains architectural complexes requiring hundreds of laborers and dates back to the late Classic period, with some objects indicating an even earlier timeline. The discovery raises questions about the Maya's endurance and offers insights into ancient civilizations.
A previously unknown ancient Maya city, named Ocomtun, has been discovered in the jungles of southern Mexico using aerial laser mapping technology. The city includes large pyramid-like buildings, stone columns, three plazas with "imposing buildings," and other structures arranged in almost-concentric circles. It is likely an important center for the peninsula's central lowland region between 250 and 1000 AD. The site probably declined around 800 to 1000 AD, likely due to "ideological and population changes" that led to the collapse of Maya societies in that region by the 10th century.